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Rondeau NC, Spector SN, Thannickal SA, Stapleford KA. La Crosse virus reassortants highlight genomic determinants of infection and pathogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.11.584386. [PMID: 38559198 PMCID: PMC10979930 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.11.584386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The genomic determinants that contribute to orthobunyavirus infection and pathogenesis are not well-defined. In this study, we harnessed the process of reassortment to understand which viral factors drive change in the replication and pathogenesis of La Crosse virus (LACV). We systematically reassorted the genomic segments of two genetically similar Lineage I LACV isolates into six unique reassortants. Despite the parental isolates having high levels of RNA and protein consensus, the reassortants demonstrate how minimal changes in RNA and protein structure can have significant changes in viral growth and reproduction in vitro in mammalian and insect models. We observed that swapping the S segment between isolates led to differences in replication and assembly resulting in one non-rescuable reassortant and one viable reassortant that exhibited an increase in viral growth dynamics. Switching the M segment led to changes in viral plaque phenotype and growth kinetics. L segment reassortants similarly differed in changes in viral growth dynamics. We further explored the M segment reassortants in a neonate mouse model and observed a role for the M segment in neuroinflammation and virulence. Through reassortment of the La Crosse virus genomic segments, we are able to further understand how genomic determinants of infection and pathogenesis operate in orthobunyaviruses. Future investigations will focus on identifying the specific molecular elements that govern the observed phenotypes in vitro and in vivo . Importance La Crosse virus is the leading cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in the United States, yet it is largely unknown how each of the three genomic segments contribute to pathogenesis and disease. Our study utilizes genomic reassortment between two similar Lineage I LACV isolates to understand genomic determinants for differences in infection and pathogenesis phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. By identifying roles for each segment in observed outcomes, we are able to plan further studies for molecular characterization of these phenotypes. Additionally, it is imperative to continue to characterize orthobunyavirus function since climate change will expand the range and prevalence of arthropod-borne diseases such as LACV in the United States.
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Day CA, Byrd BD, Trout Fryxell RT. La Crosse virus neuroinvasive disease: the kids are not alright. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:1165-1182. [PMID: 37862102 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
La Crosse virus (LACV) is the most common cause of neuroinvasive mosquito-borne disease in children within the United States. Despite more than 50 years of recognized endemicity in the United States, the true burden of LACV disease is grossly underappreciated, and there remain severe knowledge gaps that inhibit public health interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. Long-standing deficiencies in disease surveillance, clinical diagnostics and therapeutics, actionable entomologic and environmental risk indices, case response capacity, public awareness, and availability of community support groups clearly frame LACV disease as neglected. Here we synthesize salient prior research and contextualize our findings as an assessment of current gaps and opportunities to develop a framework to prevent, detect, and respond to LACV disease. The persistent burdens of LACV disease clearly require renewed public health attention, policy, and action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A Day
- Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Brian D Byrd
- Environmental Health Sciences, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, USA
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Hartman AL, Myler PJ. Bunyavirales: Scientific Gaps and Prototype Pathogens for a Large and Diverse Group of Zoonotic Viruses. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S376-S389. [PMID: 37849397 PMCID: PMC10582323 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Research directed at select prototype pathogens is part of the approach put forth by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to prepare for future pandemics caused by emerging viruses. We were tasked with identifying suitable prototypes for four virus families of the Bunyavirales order (Phenuiviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Nairoviridae, and Hantaviridae). This is a challenge due to the breadth and diversity of these viral groups. While there are many differences among the Bunyavirales, they generally have complex ecological life cycles, segmented genomes, and cause a range of human clinical outcomes from mild to severe and even death. Here, we delineate potential prototype species that encompass the breadth of clinical outcomes of a given family, have existing reverse genetics tools or animal disease models, and can be amenable to a platform approach to vaccine testing. Suggested prototype pathogens outlined here can serve as a starting point for further discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter J Myler
- Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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López K, Wilson SN, Coutermash-Ott S, Tanelus M, Stone WB, Porier DL, Auguste DI, Muller JA, Allicock OM, Paulson SL, Erasmus JH, Auguste AJ. Novel murine models for studying Cache Valley virus pathogenesis and in utero transmission. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1649-1659. [PMID: 34353229 PMCID: PMC8381923 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1965497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cache Valley virus (CVV) is a prevalent emerging pathogen of significant importance to agricultural and human health in North America. Emergence in livestock can result in substantial agroeconomic losses resulting from the severe embryonic lethality associated with infection during pregnancy. Although CVV pathogenesis has been well described in ruminants, small animal models are still unavailable, which limits our ability to study its pathogenesis and perform preclinical testing of therapeutics. Herein, we explored CVV pathogenesis, tissue tropism, and disease outcomes in a variety of murine models, including immune -competent and -compromised animals. Our results show that development of CVV disease in mice is dependent on innate immune responses, and type I interferon signalling is essential for preventing infection in mice. IFN-αβR-/- mice infected with CVV present with significant disease and lethal infections, with minimal differences in age-dependent pathogenesis, suggesting this model is appropriate for pathogenesis-related, and short- and long-term therapeutic studies. We also developed a novel CVV in utero transmission model that showed high rates of transmission, spontaneous abortions, and congenital malformations during infection. CVV infection presents a wide tissue tropism, with significant amplification in liver, spleen, and placenta tissues. Immune-competent mice are generally resistant to infection, and only show disease in an age dependent manner. Given the high seropositivity rates in regions of North America, and the continuing geographic expansion of competent mosquito vectors, the risk of epidemic and epizootic emergence of CVV is high, and interventions are needed for this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisangel López
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sarah N Wilson
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sheryl Coutermash-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Manette Tanelus
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - William B Stone
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Danielle L Porier
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Dawn I Auguste
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - John A Muller
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Orchid M Allicock
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sally L Paulson
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Albert J Auguste
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Live Viral Vaccine Neurovirulence Screening: Current and Future Models. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070710. [PMID: 34209433 PMCID: PMC8310194 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Live viral vaccines are one of the most successful methods for controlling viral infections but require strong evidence to indicate that they are properly attenuated. Screening for residual neurovirulence is an important aspect for live viral vaccines against potentially neurovirulent diseases. Approximately half of all emerging viral diseases have neurological effects, so testing of future vaccines will need to be rapid and accurate. The current method, the monkey neurovirulence test (MNVT), shows limited translatability for human diseases and does not account for different viral pathogenic mechanisms. This review discusses the MNVT and potential alternative models, including in vivo and in vitro methods. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed, and there are promising data indicating high levels of translatability. There is a need to investigate these models more thoroughly and to devise more accurate and rapid alternatives to the MNVT.
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